David J Paul Project Management Professional, Management Professor, Author and Small Business Manager
You can get to first base in the caring department just by asking your employees what makes them feel cared for, valued, appreciated and connected in the workplace. Have them write down five or six specific examples of when they felt cared for, connected, valued, or appreciated at work. Do it anonymously having them identify only their age, ethnicity, and gender. If that’s ‘too revealing’, do it completely anonymously. The key is to begin the dialogue.
Stepping out toward first base in this manner not only requires that you listen to your employees, and it creates a systematic and understandable, gradual approach to a change in the workplace.
Taking this first step helps you realize that an individual’s perception of feeling cared for at work can lead to improved levels of their engagement at work. In addition, by taking this first step at your workplace you and your employees will also recognize that some caring items that are more highly correlated to engagement than other items. You need to find out what they are, what your team values, and then you need to work on creating that environment at work.
What you have identified in getting to first base with Caring is the very set of caring variables that your employees have at the top of their mind when they think of being cared for at work. Congratulations, you’re halfway to first base.
Your team may have identified items like these as ways they feel cared for. “When I am allowed to help”
Allowed to Help
· When classmates help me and I help them on school work
· Manager asks for my help
· At home, I feel rewarded when I help out my little brother and sister with their homework and quiz preparations.
· Somebody asks for my help for a class.
· When I help others go through similar situations I went through
Or when I am allowed to lead (a group or other individual)
Allowed to Lead
· I feel encouraged when my team at work picks me to be the head of an important task
Others follow my leadership
Or when I feel appreciated:
Feel Appreciated
· When my manager or other employees tell me that I am doing a good job and notice the effort I am putting in. I even feel appreciated when I compliment someone on a good job and they are thankful that I noticed them working hard.
· Appreciation if I do a good job
Contributions are valued and recognized
Or when my feelings are understood, taken into consideration
Feelings Taken Into Consideration
· When my boss takes the time to listen to my concerns
· When my boss regards my feelings and values
· My boss understands what motivates me
· My family issues are understood
· When someone considers how a decision might impact my life
There are 33 separate ways that Gen-Y’s and Millennials have reported feeling cared for, valued, appreciated, and connected in the work place. Find them all at http://www.davidjpaul.com the book, Dare to Care
The Cameron Group, Inc. 